a contrary opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a contrary opinion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing differing viewpoints or perspectives on a particular issue or topic. Example: "While many support the new policy, there is a contrary opinion that suggests it may have negative consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The risk to MY life outweighs the will to express a contrary opinion.

The New York Times

Best of all, Arthur deeply enjoyed our plays and musicals almost always, never hesitating to share a contrary opinion.

The New York Times

When Mother takes up current events and dares to show a contrary opinion to his he gets very incensed indeed.

The New Yorker

Were you bad?' ") "I think jocks are taking on a new status symbol now," Johnny Damon, formerly known as the Caveman, told me, offering a contrary opinion.

The New Yorker

And sure enough, a contrary opinion came from a cabdriver, Ben Stevens, who was caught in the vortex at Seventh Avenue and 45th Street.

The New York Times

She also pursued them through persuasion and reasoned argument that had respect for both the facts and the right of others to hold a contrary opinion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

At the time of the amendment's passage, three Senators, including Trumbull, the author of the Civil Rights Act, as well as President Andrew Johnson, asserted that both the Civil Rights Act and the Fourteenth Amendment would confer citizenship on such children at birth; however, Senator Edgar Cowan of Pennsylvania had a definitively contrary opinion.

Wikipedia

The authors believe that seeking complete consensus risks a 'lowest common denominator' effect, with the exclusion of otherwise highly-rated indicators because they were opposed by one or two individuals with a strong contrary opinion.

British Journal of General Practice

Israeli spokesmen have triumphantly pointed to polls showing that 90 per cent of Israelis currently support Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, but this lack of contrary opinion about a venture so unlikely to do Israel much good is, in reality, a sign of weakness in a nation.

Independent

1. Use "and," not "but". When you need to disagree with someone, express your contrary opinion as an "and". It's not necessary for someone else to be wrong for you to be right.

Harvard Business Review

In a contrary favorable opinion, London's Time Out Film Guide praised the film for "slyly inverting popular wisdom" to "offer a sassy commentary on the epidemic of blame" and calling Zero Patience "a film which engages your mind as much as your heart, and leaves you laughing".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "a contrary opinion", always acknowledge the prevailing viewpoint first to provide context and demonstrate a balanced perspective.

Common error

Do not simply state "a contrary opinion" without providing supporting reasons or evidence. Ensure your viewpoint is well-reasoned and justified to avoid being dismissed as mere disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contrary opinion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a verb. It describes an opinion that opposes or differs from a commonly held belief or perspective, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a contrary opinion" is a valid and useful expression in the English language, used to denote a viewpoint that differs from the mainstream or commonly held belief. While Ludwig's examples show that it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific and academic discussions. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide adequate support and reasoning for the differing viewpoint. Related phrases include "an opposing viewpoint" and "a dissenting opinion". Remember to present "a contrary opinion" respectfully and with sufficient evidence to contribute constructively to the conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an opposing viewpoint

Replaces 'contrary' with 'opposing', emphasizing direct opposition.

a dissenting perspective

Substitutes 'contrary' with 'dissenting' and 'opinion' with 'perspective', highlighting disagreement with a prevailing view.

an alternative viewpoint

Focuses on offering another point of view, rather than direct opposition.

a conflicting viewpoint

Highlights the conflicting nature of the opinion.

a different assessment

Emphasizes a differing evaluation or judgment.

a divergent opinion

Implies a branching off from a main opinion.

an alternate interpretation

Focuses on offering a different understanding of something.

a rebuttal

Offers a direct and formal disagreement.

a counterargument

Presents an argument against a previous argument.

an opposing argument

Highlights the argumentative nature of the opinion.

FAQs

How can I effectively express "a contrary opinion"?

Expressing "a contrary opinion" effectively involves clearly stating the differing viewpoint, providing supporting evidence or reasoning, and acknowledging the validity of other perspectives. Use phrases like "While I understand..., I believe..." to present your view respectfully.

What's the difference between "a contrary opinion" and "an alternative viewpoint"?

"A contrary opinion" directly opposes a prevailing view, while "an alternative viewpoint" simply offers a different perspective, not necessarily in direct opposition.

When is it appropriate to express "a contrary opinion"?

It's appropriate to express "a contrary opinion" when you have well-reasoned arguments, when the discussion allows for diverse perspectives, and when you can contribute constructively to the conversation.

What are some synonyms for "a contrary opinion"?

Synonyms for "a contrary opinion" include "an opposing viewpoint", "a dissenting opinion", or "an alternative view".